I was looking for a portable source, radio-only, and checked out the highly-touted Sangean DT-110. Then I found something I think is better: Aiwa CR-LD101. Smaller, seems to have much greater indoor sensitivity, has 45 presets, automatic scanning, bass/loundness boost, clock, uses 1 AAA battery, and nicer looking. It's the size of a lighter, and silver-toned, with a belt-clip. The sound is far, far better than I expected, and better than the Sangean I tried at RadioShack. I've used it for headphones and with my computer desktop speakers (Monsoons). It's about $20 more than the Sangean, but worth it. If you want something like this, it is definitely worth a try.

I just got a CR-LD101 a few days ago and I agree with JML. I don't know how it compares with the Sangean but it has probably the best reception I've seen in a portable with a digital tuner and even the AM tuner is better than I expected. Also it has 8mw + 8mw output. The sound is good for a portable unit but still a little on the harsh side, but there is very little of the digital tuner background noise that plagues most portables.

Also, if anyone who is looking for a CD, MD, MP3 or cassette with a tuner, I think your much better off getting this radio and one of those devices without a radio. It's very small and performs much better than what manufactures ussually add on to them. And the top of the line units, never have tuners.

I've had the Aiwa CR-LD100 for over a year, maybe two, purchased from Sharper Image for about 70 bux. It sounds great for a ultra small digital AM/FM with a clock, auto off timer, tons of presets, etc. I also recently picked up the TRS rebrand of the Sangean DT110, 12-804 which was on sale for about 30 bux. I find the sensitivity of the DT110 slightly better, the midrange slightly better with all the various earbuds I have.

The Aiwa has lower hiss at low listening levels than the Sangean and also slightly more prominent bass.

Although both are very enjoyable to listen to, I find the DT110 slightly more musical overall.

CR-LD100 versus SRF-49

Hello from Bangkok! I brought along my SRF-49, and bought a CR-LD100 today because sometimes I prefer not using analog tuning. Lame reason I know...

First impression so it may not be all solid, etc, bear the usual disclaimer stuff in mind.

The main radio station I listen to in Bangkok is somewhat weaker in signal. Weak as in, you probably won't have a problem with any car radio, but with portables it's a bitch. This station often goes "out" where other stations' signals still thrive, and interference from unknown sources isn't unusual.

It seems to me that where the SRF-49 doesn't pick up interference, the LD100 does. On the road side I got a minor wave-like noise with the LD100, while it sounded prefectly-tuned on the SRF-49.

There's also an area where signal seems to be weaker all around for all stations. Here the LD100 apparently does a better job.

Having said all of these, I quite like the LD100. Its interface is lovely compared to a similarly sized Sony I owned before (SRF-M90 I think, the one that comes in a tan leather look). The volume control, while still stiff, is much more evenly spaced out than the M90's.

I do find the SRF-49 more musical than the LD100, but the LD100 is again more pleasant than the M90. I prefer not using DSL myself.

CR-LD100 and a little story

Hi!

I'm new here, and my first post is digging an old topic up... but I wanted to make a comment about the quality of the Aiwa CR-LD100, the predecessor to the CR-LD101.

A few months ago, I had this tiny radio in my bag with a Coke soda can when the can exploded! Yah literally had to pour Coca-Cola out of my knapsack in the middle of New York City subway car. I got some weird looks.

Needless to say, the radio wasn't working when I tried it back in the office. Bummer. But, I didn't want to just throw it away. Took out the battery, walked over to the sink, and flushed the whole thing in warm/hot water for a good few minutes and then shook it out. "Hah, there's no way in hell this is going to work anymore."

There was condensation inside the LCD display and everything. I parked it under the heat of my Halogen desk lamp for the day. When I picked it up to go home...it was working perfectly once more! No water or condensation anywhere either.

Dang, this little Aiwa radio is bulletproof, and waterproof too. Highly recommended!

leon, I have to agree with you on the Sony SRF-49. While I haven't tried the Aiwa, I bought both the SRF-49 and the Sangean 110, and while the Sangean had a nice digital interface and presets, the SRF-49 got clearer reception (especially on local stations where interference is problematic) and sounded better.

Re: CR-LD100 versus SRF-49

Quote:

Originally posted by leonI brought along my SRF-49, and bought a CR-LD100 today because sometimes I prefer not using analog tuning. Lame reason I know...

I much prefer analog tuning, period. I too have an Aiwa CR-LD100 and a couple of other small radios w/digital tuning. IMO, they're just a hassle to use. You have to scan and preset.....then if you go to another town, you do it all again.

I recently purchased a Grundig Mini World 100 PE. Best little radio I've ever had (I grew up in the transistor radio's golden age) and I've had many. This thing is small, inexpensive, (about $30) and works like a charm.http://shop.store.yahoo.com/campmor/69201.html

I've had severe problems with analog tuning!

The title of my post says it all. All of my analog tuners in portable electronics are so poorly designed that I could never get the radio station that I wanted to listen to tuned in properly - the tuning knobs change way too many frequencies in just a short turn, and are extremely stiff to operate!